Cards and devices with multifunction magnetic emulators and methods for using same

ABSTRACT

A payment card (e.g., credit and/or debit card) is provided with a magnetic emulator operable of communicating information to a magnetic stripe reader. Information used in validating a financial transaction is encrypted based on time such that a validating server requires receipt of the appropriate encrypted information for a period of time to validate a transaction for that period of time. Such dynamic information may be communicated using such an emulator such that a card may be swiped through a magnetic stripe reader—yet communicate different information based on time. An emulator may receive information as well as communicate information to a variety of receivers (e.g., an RFID receiver).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/557,525, filed on Jul. 25, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S.Pat. No. 8,517,276, filed on Dec. 19, 2008, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/016,491 filed on Dec. 24,2007, 61/026,846 filed on Feb. 7, 2008, 61/027,807 filed on Feb. 11,2008, 61/081,003 filed on Jul. 15, 2008, 61/086,239 filed on Aug. 5,2008, 61/090,423 filed on Aug. 20, 2008, 61/097,401 filed Sep. 16, 2008,61/112,766 filed on Nov. 9, 2008, 61/117,186 filed on Nov. 23, 2008,61/119,366 filed on Dec. 2, 2008, and 61/120,813 filed on Dec. 8, 2008,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and payment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that maytransmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magneticemulator. The magnetic emulator may be, for example, a circuit thatemits electromagnetic fields operable to electrically couple with aread-head of a magnetic stripe reader such that data may be transmittedfrom the circuit to the magnetic stripe reader. The emulator may beoperated serially such that information is transmitted serially to amagnetic stripe reader. Alternatively, for example, portions of amagnetic emulator may emit different electromagnetic fields at aparticular instance such that the emulator is operated to providephysically parallel, instantaneous data. Alternatively still, a magneticmedium may be provided and a circuit may be provided to change themagnetic properties of the magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripereader is operable to read information written on the magnetic medium.

A processor may be provided on a card, or other device, that controls amagnetic emulator. The processor may be configured to operate theemulator such that the emulator transmits serial or parallelinformation. Particularly, the processor may decouple portions of anemulator from one another such that different portions of the emulatormay transmit different information (e.g., transmit data in a paralleloperation). The processor may couple portions of an emulator together(or drive the portions together) such that all portions of the emulatortransmits the same information (e.g., transmit data in a serialoperation). Alternatively, the processor may drive a portion of theemulator to transmit data using one method (e.g., serially) while theprocessor drives another portion of the emulator using a differentmethod (e.g., in parallel).

The processor may drive an emulator through a switching circuit. Theswitching circuit may control the direction and magnitude of currentthat flows through at least a portion of an emulator such that theswitching circuit controls the direction and magnitude of theelectromagnetic field created by at least that portion of the emulator.An electromagnetic field may be generated by the emulator such that theemulator is operable to electrically couple with a read-head from amagnetic stripe reader without making physical contact with theread-head. Particularly, for example, an emulator that is driven withincreased current can be operable to couple with the read-head of amagnetic stripe reader even when placed outside and within the proximityof (e.g., 0.25 inches) the read-head.

A magnetic emulator may be operated to electrically couple, and transmitdata to, devices other than a magnetic stripe reader. For example, amagnetic emulator may be operated to electrically couple, and transmitdata to, a device using a Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID)protocol. Accordingly, a processor may drive the emulator at a frequencyand magnitude in order to electrically couple with a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader and then drive the emulator at a differentfrequency and a different magnitude in order to electronically couplewith an RFID reader.

A processor may receive information from a magnetic stripe readerdetector and/or an RFID receiver detector. A processor may detect, forexample, the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader byreceiving signals from a magnetic stripe reader detector and, inresponse, the processor may drive a magnetic emulator in a manner thatallows the emulator to couple with the magnetic stripe reader. Theprocessor may also detect, for example, the presence of and RFIDreceiver by receiving signals from an RFID receiver detector and, inresponse, the processor may drive a magnetic emulator in a manner thatallows the emulator to couple with the RFID receiver. More than oneemulator may be provided on a card or other device and a processor maydrive such emulators in a variety of different manners.

A circuit may be provided on a credit card that is operable to receivedata from a magnetic stripe encoder and/or an RFID transmitter. Such acircuit may electrically couple with an RFID transmitter and/or magneticstripe encoder and deliver information to a processor. In this manner, acard, or other device, may communicate bi-directionally with a device.

An emulator may communicate with a magnetic stripe reader outside of,for example, the housing of a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, forexample, the emulator may be provided in devices other than cards sizedto fit inside of the reading area of a magnetic stripe reader. In otherwords, for example, the emulator may be located in a device that isthicker than a card—yet the emulator can still communicate with one ormore read-heads located in a magnetic stripe reader. Such a device maybe, for example, a security token, a wireless communications device, alaptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a physical lock key to ahouse and/or car, or any other device.

Dynamic information may be provided by a processor located on the card,or other device, and communicated through a magnetic emulator. Suchdynamic information may, for example, change based on time. For example,the dynamic information may be periodically encrypted differently. Oneor more displays may be located on a card, or other device, such thatthe dynamic information may be displayed to a user through the display.Buttons may be provided to accept input from a user to, for example,control the operation of the card or other device.

Dynamic information may include, for example, a dynamic number that isused as, or part of, a number for a credit card number, debit cardnumber, payment card number, and/or payment verification code. Dynamicinformation may also include, for example, a student identificationnumber or medical identification number. Dynamic information may also,for example, include alphanumeric information such that a dynamicaccount name is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of process flow charts constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the electrical coupling between a card anda reader constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the electrical coupling between a card anda reader constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of magnetic shielding in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of process flow charts constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a personal electronic device constructedin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that includes printed information 111 and 120,displays 112 and 113, and buttons 130-134. Card 100 may be, for example,a payment card such as a credit card, debit card, and/or gift card.Payment information, such as a credit/debit card number may be providedas static information 111, dynamic information 112 and/or 113, or anycombination thereof.

For example, a particular number of digits of a credit card number(e.g., the last 3 digits) may be provided as dynamic information. Suchdynamic information may be changed periodically (e.g., once every hour).Information may be changed via, for example, encryption. Software may beprovided at, for example, the payment verification servers that verifiesthe dynamic information for each period of time such that a payment canbe validated and processed for a particular user. A user may beidentifies using, for example, static information that is used to form acredit card number or other static information (e.g., information 120).Additionally, identification information may be derived (e.g., embedded)in dynamic information. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thata credit card number may have, for example, a length of 15 or 16 digits.A credit card number may also have a length of up to 19 digits. Averification code may be used with some payment systems and such averification code may be provided statically on the card or may beprovided as dynamic information. Such a verification code may beprovided on a second display located on, for example, the front or rearsurface of card 100. Alternatively, a verification code may be displayedon the same display as other dynamic information (e.g., dynamicinformation 112). A display may be, for example, a flexible electronicink display. Such a flexible electronic ink display may, for example,utilize power to change displayed information, but may not utilize powerto display information after the information is changed.

Card 150 may be provided. Card 150 may include static magnetic stripetracks 153 and 152. A magnetic emulator may be provided as device 151.Device 151 may be operable to electrically couple with a read-head of amagnetic stripe reader. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thata read-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader may be provided withone, two, or three active read-heads that are operable to each couplewith a separate magnetic track of information. A reader may also havemore than one read-head housing and each read-head housing may beprovided with one, two, or three active read-heads that are operable toeach couple with a separate magnetic track of information. Suchread-head housings may be provided different surfaces of a magneticstripe reader. For example, the read-head housings may be provided onopposite walls of a trough sized to accept payment cards. Accordingly,the devices on the opposite sides of the trough may be able to read acredit card regardless of the direction that the credit card was swiped.

A magnetic emulator may be provided and may be positioned on card 150such that when card 150 is swiped through a credit card reader, themagnetic emulator passes underneath, or in the proximity of, a read-headfor a particular magnetic track. An emulator may be large enough tosimultaneously pass beneath, or in the proximity of, multipleread-heads. Information may be transmitted, for example, serially to oneor more read-heads. Information from different tracks of data may alsobe transmitted serially and the magnetic stripe reader may determine thedifferent data received by utilize the starting and/or ending sentinelsthat define the information for each track. A magnetic emulator may alsotransmit a string of leading and/or ending zeros such that a magneticreader may utilize such a string of zeros to provide self-clocking. Indoing so, for example, information may be transmitted serially at highspeeds to a magnetic stripe reader. For example, credit card informationmay be transmitted to a magnetic stripe reader at speeds up to, andgreater than, 30 Khz).

Different emulators may be provided, and positioned, on card 150 to eachcouple with a different read-head and each emulator may providedifferent track information to those different read-heads. Read-headdetectors may be utilized to detect when a read-head is over an emulatorsuch that an emulator is controlled by a processor to operate when aread-head detector detects the appropriate presence of a read-head. Indoing so, power may be saved. Additionally, the read-head detector maydetect how many read-heads are reading the card and, accordingly, onlycommunicate with the associated emulators. In doing so, additional powermay be conserved. Accordingly, an emulator may be utilized tocommunicate dynamic information to a magnetic stripe reader. Suchdynamic information may include, for example, dynamic payment cardinformation that changes based on time.

A static magnetic stripe may be provide to transmit data for one or moretracks to a magnetic strip reader where dynamic information is notdesired. Card 150, for example, may include static magnetic track 153and static magnetic track 152. Information on static magnetic tracks 152and 153 may be encoded via a magnetic stripe encoder. Device 151 mayinclude an emulator such that dynamic information may be communicatedthrough emulator 151. Any combination of emulators and static magnetictracks may be utilized for a card or device.

One or more batteries, such as flexible lithium polymer, batteries maybe utilized to form card 100. Such batteries may be electrically coupledin a serial combination to provide a source of power to the variouscomponents of card 100. Alternatively, separate batteries may providepower to different components of card 100. For example, a battery mayprovide power to a processor and/or display of card 100, while anotherbattery provides a source of energy to one or more magnetic emulators ofcard 100. In doing so, for example, a processor may operate even afterthe battery that supplies power to an emulator completely discharges.Accordingly, the processor may provide information to another componentof card 100. For example, the processor may display information on adisplay to indicate to a user that the magnetic emulator is not longeroperational due to power exhaustion. Batteries may be, for example,rechargeable and contacts, or other devices, may be provided on card 100such that the battery may be recharged.

Buttons (e.g., buttons 130-134) may be provided on a card. Such buttonsmay allow a user to manually provide information to a card. For example,a user may be provided with a personal identification code (e.g., a PIN)and such a personal identification code may be required to be manuallyinputted into a card using the buttons in order for the card to operatein a particular manner. For example, the use of a magnetic emulator orthe use of a display may require a personal identification code.

By dynamically changing a portion of a user's credit card number, forexample, credit card fraud is minimized. By allowing the dynamicinformation to displayed visually to a user, and changed magnetically ona card, user behavior change is minimized (with respect to a credit cardwith completely static information). By requiring the use of a personalidentification code, the fraud associated with lost or stolen creditcards is minimized. Fraud associated with theft/loss is minimized asthird party users do not know the personal identification code needed tooperate particular aspects of a credit card with dynamic information.

FIG. 2 shows card 200. Card 200 may include, for example, staticmagnetic stripe track 203, static magnetic stripe track 201, andmagnetic emulator 202 sandwiched between read-head detectors 204 and205. A read-head detector may, for example, be provided as a circuitthat detects, for example, changes in capacitance or mechanical couplingto a conductive material. Processor 220 may be provided to, for example,receive information from read-head detectors 204 and 205 and controlemulator 202. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that processor220 may cause a current to flow through a coil of emulator 202 in adifferent direction to produce different electromagnetic fields. Thetransitions between the different electromagnetic fields may be sensedby a magnetic stripe reader as information. Accordingly, a magneticemulator may transmit data serially while a read-head is electricallycoupled with a magnetic reader.

RFID antenna 210 may be provided on card 200. Such an RFID antenna maybe operable to transmit information provided by processor 220. In doingso, for example, processor 220 may communicate with an RFID device usingRFID antenna 210 and may communicate with a magnetic stripe reader usingmagnetic emulator 204. Both RFID antenna 210 and magnetic emulator 204may be utilized to communicate payment card information (e.g., creditcard information) to a reader. Processor 240 may also be coupled todisplay 240 such that dynamic information can be displayed on display240. Button array 230 may also be coupled to processor 220 such that theoperation of card 200 may be controlled, at least in part, by manualinput received by button array 230.

Card 250 may be provided and may include static magnetic track 253,magnetic emulators 251 and 252, and magnetic read-heads 254-257).Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that static magnetic track253 may be a read-write track such that information may be written tomagnetic track 253 from a magnetic stripe reader that includes a headoperable to magnetically encode data onto a magnetic track. Informationmay be written to magnetic track 253 as part of a payment process (e.g.,a credit card or debit card transaction). Persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a static magnetic track may include a magneticmaterial that includes ferromagnetic materials that provide forflux-reversals such that a magnetic stripe reader can read theflux-reversals from the static magnetic track. Persons skilled in theart will also appreciate that a magnetic emulator may communicateinformation that remains the same from payment card transaction topayment card transaction (e.g., static information) as well asinformation that changes between transactions (e.g., dynamicinformation).

FIG. 3 shows card 300 that may include magnetic encoders 302 and 302without, for example, a static magnetic track. Read-head detectors304-307 may also be provided. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat a magnetic reader may include the ability to read two tracks ofinformation (e.g., may include at least two read-heads). All of theinformation needed to perform a financial transaction (e.g., acredit/debit card transaction) may be included on two magnetic tracks.Alternatively, all of the information needed to perform a financialtransaction (e.g., a gift card transaction) may be included on onemagnetic track. Accordingly, particular cards, or other devices, mayinclude the ability, for example, to only transmit data associated withthe tracks that are needed to complete a particular financialtransaction. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that for systemswith three tracks of information, the bottom two tracks may be utilizedfor credit card information. Persons skilled in the art will alsoappreciate that a secure credit card transaction may be provided by onlychanging, for example, one of two magnetic tracks utilized in a creditcard transaction (for those transactions that utilize two tracks).Accordingly, one track may be a static magnetic track constructed from amagnetic material and the other track may be provided as a magneticemulator. Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that numerousadditional fields of data may be provided on a magnetic track inaddition to a credit card number (or a security code). Dynamicinformation may be provided in such additional fields in order tocomplete a particular financial transaction. For example, suchadditional dynamic information may be numbers (or characters), encryptedwith time and synced to software, at a validating server, operable tovalidate the encrypted number for a particular period of time.

Card 350 includes processor 360. RFID field detector 353 may provideinformation to processor 350. Additionally, magnetic stripe detectorsmay provide information to processor 350. An RFID receiver may producean electromagnetic field that an RFID antenna is operable toelectrically couple with and communicate information to. An RFIDreceiver may act as a source of electrical power to an RFID antenna.Such a power may be harvested (e.g., via RFID 210 of FIG. 2) to charge arechargeable battery of a card or other device. An RFID field detectormay thus be provided to detect an RFID field.

Emulator 351 may be able to generate electromagnetic fields of differentfrequencies and magnitudes, and operate in different manners, dependingon drive signals provided by processor 360. Accordingly, emulator 351may be driven to electrically couple with an RFID receiver and emulator351 may also be driven to electrically couple with a magnetic stripereader. Accordingly, processor 360 may drive emulator 351 to communicateinformation (e.g., payment information that includes dynamicinformation) to an RFID receiver when an RFID field is present and to amagnetic stripe reader when a magnetic stripe is present. Accordingly,for example, a multi-purpose emulator is provided. In instances where,for example, both an RFID field and a magnetic stripe reader isdetected, processor 360 may select a default communications methodology(e.g., an RFID or magnetic stripe methodology). Processor 360 may beoperable to communicate at least two different drive signals to emulator351 (e.g., signals 391 and 392).

Card 400 shows card 400 that may include processor 400, emulator 401,read-heads 402 and 403, and magnetic stripe encoding receiver 420.Magnetic stripe encoding receiver 420 may be a coil such that a currentis induced in the coil when a magnetic stripe encoder attempts toprovide a signal that would encode a static magnetic track. Accordingly,receiver 420 may receive information via an encoder such thatbi-directional communication can be established with a magnetic stripereader that includes an encoding capability. Persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a magnetic emulator may be provided that can bothtransmit data to a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader as well asreceive data from an encoding-head of a magnetic stripe reader.

Card 450 includes emulator 451 that includes active region 454 operableto communicate data serially to a magnetic stripe reader. Similarly, forexample, emulator 451 may receive information for a magnetic stripeencoder. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that emulator 451includes a tail that is spread-out. Such a tail may include the returnlines of emulator 451 and may be spaced such that a magnetic reader isnot able to pick up the electromagnetic fields generated by such a tail.Accordingly, active region 454 may be spaced close together such that amagnetic stripe reader is able to pick up the cumulative electromagneticfield generated by such an active region. Processor 453 may driveemulator 451 via switching circuitry 452. Switching circuitry 452 mayinclude, for example, one or more transistors that may be utilized tocontrol the direction of current via emulator 451 (e.g., the polarity ofvoltage(s) across a drive resistor).

FIG. 5 shows flow chart 510 that may includes steps 511-513. Step 511may be utilized to determine, of example, whether an RFID or a magneticstripe reader is within the proximity of a card (or other device). Step512 may be utilized to run an emulator as an RFID or magnetic stripe inresponse to step 511. Step 513 may be utilized to determine an RFID andmagnetic stripe reader such that the process may be repeated.

Process 520 may be included and may include step 521 to detect aread-head. Step 522 may be included to transmit information using anemulator in a transmitting mode. Step 523 may be utilized to receiveinformation from an emulator (or receiving coil) in a receiving mode.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that an emulator may beoperating in a receiving mode and a transmitting mode at the same time.

Process 530 may be included and may include step 531 to encode data intostatic magnetic tracks fabricated from a magnetic material. Step 532 maybe provided to program data into a processor to be utilized in asubsequent step (e.g., step 533). Step 533 may be utilized to emulatedata using an emulator driven by the data programmed in the processor.

FIG. 6 shows environment 600 that may include magnetic stripe reader610, read-head housing 640, card 620, and magnetic emulator 630.Read-head housing 640 may include any number of read-head's such as, forexample, one, two, or three read-heads. Each read-head may independentlyreceive magnetic fields from magnetic emulator 630 (or a magneticstripe, such as a magnetic stripe encoded on-card by card 620). Emulator630 may be positioned to be adjacent to any one or more read-heads ofread-head housing 640 or may be positioned to communicate information toany one or more read-heads of read-head housing 640. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that emulators with longer lengths may belocated within the proximity of one or more read-heads for a longerduration of time when a card is swiped. In doing so, for example, moreinformation may be transmitted from an emulator to a read-head when acard is being swiped.

FIG. 7 includes environment 700 that may include cards 720 and 730 aswell as magnetic stripe reader 710. Read-head housing 711 may beincluded on a wall of a trough of magnetic stripe reader 710. The troughmay be sized to accept cards (e.g., credit cards).

Card 720 may include emulator 721. Emulator 721 may provideelectromagnetic field 791 that may transmit through a portion of thehousing of magnetic stripe reader 710 (e.g., through a wall of a troughto get to read-head housing 711). Accordingly, card 720 may be locatedoutside of a reader—yet still be operable to communicate information toa magnetic stripe reader. A reader may be provided with an outer wall,for example, with a thickness of a quarter of an inch or more. Emulator721 can provide electromagnetic field 791 over a distance of, forexample, a quarter of an inch or more.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that card 720 may be coupledto a device via a permanent or removable cable. Such a device mayprovide power to card 720 as well as control information—such as controlinformation for emulator 730. An external source of power may beutilized, for example, to provide a larger amount of electrical energyto emulator 721 than from a source of power located within card 720.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a car having an internalbattery may still be able to receive a cable from a device having itsown source of electrical energy.

Card 730 may be provided with emulator 731 and may electrically couplewith a read-head of magnetic stripe reader 710. Any number of emulatorsmay be provided in card 730 in any number of orientations such that theappropriate electromagnetic field may couple with a read head ofread-head housing 711 regardless of the orientation of card 720 withrespect to read-head 711. More particularly, for example, additionalread-head housings may be provided in magnetic stripe reader 710 atdifferent locations about the reader to electrically couple with aemulators in a number of different configurations. A sticker and/orguide-structures may be provided on a magnetic stripe reader to, forexample, direct a user on how to position his/her card (or other device)for contactless transmission of data (e.g., credit card data) to aread-head housing without using the trough that includes that read-headhousing.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic stripe readermay include a trough that includes two (or more) read-head housings 711located in approximately the same vertical position on a card-swipingtrough, but at different horizontal locations on opposite walls of thetrough. In doing so, for example, a magnetic stripe may be readregardless of the direction that a card having the magnetic stripe isfacing when the card is swiped. Magnetic emulator 721 may, for example,communicate magnetic fields outside both the front and read surfaces ofa card. Accordingly, a single emulator 721 may, for example, couple witha single read-head regardless of the direction the card was facing whenswiped. In doing so, for example, the costs of readers may be reduced asonly a single read-head may be need to receive information regardless ofthe direction a card is facing when swiped. Accordingly, magneticreaders do not need stickers and/or indicia to show a user the correctorientation to swipe a card through a magnetic stripe reader. An adaptermay be provided that coupled directly to a read-head that allows adevice not operable to fit in a trough to electrically couple with aread-head.

An dynamic magnetic communications device, such as a emulator, may bepositioned about a surface of a card (or other device), beneath asurface of a device, or centered within a card. The orientation of amagnetic emulator in a card may provide different magnetic fields (e.g.,different strength's of magnetic fields) outside different surfaces of acard. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magneticemulator may be printed via PCB printing. A card may include multipleflexible PCB layers (e.g., FR4 layers) and may be laminated to form acard. Portions of an electronic ink display may also be fabricated on alayer during a PCB printing process.

Magnetic shielding may be provided to limit an electromagnetic field ofan emulator. For example, layer 810 may include magnetic shielding 811(which may be a magnetic material). Magnetic shielding may blockmagnetic fields from emulator 851 on layer 820. Accordingly, forexample, a card may not interact with read-heads blocked from emulator851 from magnetic shielding 811. In doing so, for example, a magneticstripe reader may receive information from a single read-head housing atany given time. Layer 830 may be provided, for example, with magneticshielding 831 that includes an active-region space 832. Accordingly,layer 830 may block magnetic fields from emulator 851 except for thosefields generated by active portion 854 (e.g., if space 832 is alignedwith active potion 854).

FIG. 9 shows processes 900 that may include flow chart 910. Flow chart910 may include step 911, in which a first layer of magnetic shieldingmay be provided (e.g., printed). Step 912 may be provided such that, forexample, an emulator is provided (e.g., printed). Step 913 may beincluded such that, for example, a second layer of shielding may beprovided (e.g., printed).

Flow chart 920 may be included. Step 921 may be included in flow chart920. A read-head may be detected in step 921, a first level of currentmay be provided through an emulator in step 922, and the direction ofthe current through the emulator may be switched in step 923 in order totransmit data.

Flow chart 930 may be included. Step 931 may be included in flow chart930. A button press may be detected in step 931, a second level ofcurrent may be provided through an emulator in step 932, and thedirection of the current through the emulator may be switched in step933 in order to transmit data. Flow chart 921 and 931 may be utilizedtogether, for example, to provide a multi-function emulator. Forexample, an emulator may provide a magnetic-stripe signal to a magneticstripe reader in flow chart 920 and may provide an RFID signal to anRFID receiver in flow chart 930.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number does not needto, for example, change with time. Information can change, for example,based on manual input (e.g., a button press or combination of buttonpresses). Additionally, a credit card number may be a static displaynumber and may be wholly or partially displayed by a display. Such astatic credit card number may result in the reduction of fraud if, forexample, a personal identification code is required to be entered on amanual input entry system to activate the display. Additionally, fraudassociated with card cloning may be minimized with the use of a magneticemulator activated by the correct entry on a manual input entry system.

Person skilled in the art will also appreciate that a card may be clonedby a thief, for example, when the thief puts a illegitimate credit cardreader before a legitimate credit card reader and disguising theillegitimate credit card reader. Thus, a read-head detector may detect aread-head housing and then, if a second read-head housing is detected onthe same side of the credit card, the reader may transmit information tothe second read-head that signifies that two read-head housings weredetected. In doing so, for example, a bank, or the police, may benotified of the possibility of the presence of a disguised cloningdevice. The information representative of multiple read-heads may beincluded with information that would allow a credit card number to bevalidated. As such, a server may keep track of the number of read-headhousings at each reader and, if more read-head housings are detectedthan expected, the server may contact an administrator (or the police).The server may also cause the credit card transaction to process or mayreject the credit card transaction. If the number of read-head housings(or read-heads) is the number expected by the server, the server canvalidate the payment transaction.

A payment system using dynamic numbers may, for example, be operablewith numbers that are stored outside of the period in which thosenumbers would otherwise be valid. A server may be included, for example,that accepts a dynamic credit card number, information representative ofa past credit card number, and the merchant that is requesting payment.The server may register that merchant for that saved number. The numbermay be decrypted (or otherwise validated) for that past period of time.Accordingly, the credit card transaction may be validated. Additionally,the merchant identification information may be linked to the storeddynamic credit card number for that past period of time. If the serverreceives a transaction from a different merchant with that same dynamiccredit card number for that same period of time, the server may rejectthe transaction. In doing so, a merchant may be protected from havingcredit card numbers stolen from its various storage devices. If a thiefsteals a number from a merchant's server that is associated with a pastperiod of time, that number cannot be used, for example, anywhere else.Furthermore, such a topology may, for example, allow merchants toprovide a one-click shopping, periodic billing, or any other type offeature that may utilize dynamic numbers that are stored and usedoutside of the period in which the dynamic numbers were generated.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that different emulators maybe controlled by different switching circuitry (e.g., differenttransistors). Opto-isolators may be included to protect the processorfrom any voltage swings driving a magnetic emulator.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple buttons may becoupled together to form a single-bit bus. If any button is pressed, thebus may change states and signal to the processor to utilize differentports to determine what button was pressed. In this manner, buttons maybe coupled to non-triggerable ports of a processor. Each button (or asubset of buttons) may be coupled to one or more triggerable ports of aprocessor. A port on a microprocessor may be utilized to drive anemulator in addition to, for example, receiving information from abutton. For example, once an appropriate personal identification code isreceived by a processor, the processor may utilize one or more portsthat receive information from one or more buttons to drive an emulator(e.g., for a period of time). Alternatively, for example, a magneticemulator may be coupled to its own triggerable or non-triggerableprocessor port. A card may also include a voltage regulator to, forexample, regulate power received from an internal or external source ofpower.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any type of device maybe utilized to provide dynamic magnetic information on a card to amagnetic stripe reader. As discussed above, a magnetic encoder may beprovided that can change information on a magnetic medium where thechanged information can be detected by a magnetic stripe reader.

FIG. 10 shows card 1000 that may include, for example, one or more ICchips 1030 (e.g., EMV chips), RFID antennas 1020, processors 1040,displays 1050, dynamic magnetic communications devices 1010 (e.g.,magnetic encoders and/or magnetic emulators), batteries 1060, andbuttons 1051 and 1052. Additional circuitry 1098 may be provided whichmay be, for example, one or more oscillators or emulator drivingcircuits. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that button 1051may, for example, be utilized by a user to select one encryptionalgorithm for a number displayed on display 1050 while button 1052 maybe utilized by a user to select a different encryption algorithm.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the components of card1000 may be provided on either surface of a card (e.g., a front or rearsurface of the card) or inside of a card. A logo (e.g., of a cardissuer) and logo may be provided on either surface of a card.

A button, such as button 1051, may be utilized, for example, to displaya number. Such a number may be, for example, encrypted from a securenumber based on time or use. For example, one-time use numbers (e.g., apayment number or code) may be retrieved from a list of numbers onmemory each time button 1051 is pressed and displayed on display 1050. Aprocessor may only go through each number once on a list. A registrationprocess may be provided in which a user may be requested to enter in asequence of numbers such that a remote server may validate the card andlearn where in a sequence of a list a card currently resides. Numbersmay be repeated on a list or may only occur once on a list. All of thenumbers available by the length of the number may be utilized by thelist or only a portion of the numbers available by the length of thenumber may be provided by the list. A secret number may be encrypted ona card and a verification server may also have knowledge of this secretnumber. Accordingly, the remote server may perform the same encryptionfunction as the card on the secret number and verify that the resultantencrypted number is the same as the resultant encrypted number on acard. Alternatively, for example, the remote server may decrypt thereceived encrypted number to determine the authenticity of the encryptednumber and validate an activity (e.g., validate a security accessrequest or a purchase transaction).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, for example, that a card mayinclude an IC chip (e.g., EMV chip), RFID, and a dynamic magneticcommunications device (e.g., a magnetic emulator or encoder). The sameinformation may be communicated through, for example, any number of suchdevices (e.g., a dynamic magnetic communications device, RFID, and anEMV chip). A central processor may cause each device to communicate theinformation (in the same format or a different format). Each componentmay have its own processor or driving circuitry. Such individualprocessors or driving circuitry may be coupled to a central processor.An EMV chip may be utilized, for example, to provide control signals toother devices (e.g., circuitry driving a display as well as a dynamicmagnetic communications device). Such an EMV chip may receive signalsprovided by one or more buttons to determine, for example, that aparticular button, or sequence of buttons, was pressed by a user.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a read-head housing mayinclude, for example, multiple read-heads. A read-head detector may,more generally, detect a read-head housing and, in doing so, detect aread-head.

FIG. 11 shows card 1100 that may include, for example, signature area1140 that may include a material operable to receive marks from a pen(e.g., a signature). Card 1100 may also include, for example, displays1120 and 1130. Display 1120 may, for example, display a payment numberwhile display 1130 displays a security code (e.g., for online purchaseauthentication). Display 1120 as well as display 1130 may be utilized onthe same side as, for example, dynamic magnetic communications device1110.

FIG. 12 shows personal electronic device 1200 which may be, for example,a portable telephonic device, portable media player, or any type ofelectronic device. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that thefunctionality of a card may be provided on a personal device anddisplayed through a graphical user interface. Personal electronic device1200 may include, for example, user inputs 1240 and display 1210.Virtual card 1220 may be displayed on display 1220. Display 1220 may bea touch-sensitive display such that, for example, virtual button 1230may be provided on virtual card 1220. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that cards may be provided as virtual cards and a user mayinteract with such virtual cards in order to provide a variety offunctions. Personal electronic device 1200 may communicate to a cardreader such as, for example, an RFID reader.

A display may be bi-stable or non bi-stable. A bi-stable display mayconsume electrical energy to change the information displayed on thebi-stable display but may not consume electrical energy to maintain thedisplay of that information. A non bi-stable display may consumeelectrical energy to both change and maintain information on the nonbi-stable display. A display driving circuit may be provided, forexample, for a bi-stable display (or a non bi-stable display). Such adisplay driving circuit may step-up a supply voltage (e.g., 1-5 volts)to a larger voltage (e.g., 6-15 volts) such that a bi-stable display maychange displayed information. A controller (e.g., a processor) may beutilized to control such a display driving circuit. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that a display may be configured to displaynumerical data or alphanumerical data. A display may also be configuredto display other indicia (e.g., the image of a battery and its remaininglife).

A magnetic stripe reader may, for example, determine information on amagnetic stripe by detecting the frequency of changes in magnetic fields(e.g., flux transversals). A particular frequency of flux transversalsmay correlate to, for example, a particular information state (e.g., alogic “1” or a logic “0”). Accordingly, for example, a magnetic emulatormay change the direction of an electromagnetic field at particularfrequencies in order to communicate a different state of information(e.g., a logic “1” or a logic “0”).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic emulator mayelectromagnetically communicate information serially by changing themagnitude of an electromagnetic field with respect to time. As such, forexample, a current in a single direction may be provided through amagnetic emulator in order for that magnetic emulator to generate anelectromagnetic field of a single direction and a particular magnitude.The current may then be removed from the magnetic emulator such that,for example, the electromagnetic field is removed. The creation of apresence of an electromagnetic field, and the removal of thatelectromagnetic field, may be utilized to communicate information to,for example, a magnetic stripe reader. A magnetic stripe reader may beconfigured to read, for example, the change in flux versus time and mayassociate an increase in an electromagnetic field (e.g., creation of afield) as one flux transversal and a decrease (e.g., removal of a field)as another transversal. In doing so, for example, driving circuitry (notshown) may be provided which, in turn, controls when current is providedto a magnetic emulator. The timing of magnetic flux transversals, asdetermined by a magnetic stripe reader, may be utilized by that readerto determine whether a logic one (“1”) or logic zero (“0”) wascommunicated. Accordingly, a driving circuit may change the frequency ofwhen current is supplied and removed from a magnetic emulator in orderto communicate a logic one (“1”) or a logic zero (“0”).

A driving circuit may, for example, change the direction of currentsupplied to a magnetic emulator to increase the amount of change in anelectromagnetic field magnitude for a period of time. In doing so, forexample, a magnetic stripe reader may more easily be able to discernoverall changes in an electromagnetic field and, as such, may moreeasily be able to discern information. As such, for example, a drivingcircuit may increase the magnitude of an electromagnetic field byproviding negative current, decrease the amount of negative currentuntil no current is provided and provide an increasing positive currentin order to provide a large swing in the magnitude of an electromagneticfield. Similarly, a driving circuit may switch from providing one amountof negative current (or positive current) to one amount of positivecurrent (or negative current).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a string of a particularbit of data (e.g., a string of logic zeros “0s”) may be communicatedbefore as well as after information is communicated through a magneticemulator. A magnetic stripe reader may utilize such data, for example,to determine base timing information such that the magnetic stripereader has a timing reference that the reader can utilize to assist indetermining timing changes of perceived flux transverals. Accordingly,for example, a magnetic emulator may send data at different overallfrequencies and a magnetic stripe reader may be able to reconfigureitself to receive data at such overall frequencies. Information may beencoded using, for example, Frequency/Double Frequency (F2F) encodingsuch that magnetic stripe readers may perform, F2F decoding.

A processor may control one or more emulators by, for example,controlling the direction of the current supplied through one or moresegments of an emulator. By changing the direction of current through aregion, for example, the direction of an electromagnetic field may bechanged. Similarly, a processor may control one or more emulators by,for example, controlling the change in magnitude of current suppliedthrough one or more segments of an emulator. As such, for example, aprocessor may increase the magnitude of current as well as decrease themagnitude of current supplied through an emulator. A processor maycontrol the timing of such increases and decreases in current such thata magnetic emulator may, for example, communicate F2F encodedinformation.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic magneticcommunications device (e.g., a magnetic emulator or magnetic encoder)may be fabricated, either completely or partially, in silicon andprovided as a silicon-based chip. Other circuitry (e.g., drivingcircuitry) may also be fabricated on such a silicon-based chip. Aprocessor, such as a processor for controlling a magnetic communicationsdevice, may be, for example, a programmable processor having on-boardprogrammable non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH memory), volatile memory(e.g., RAM), as well as a cache. Firmware as well as payment information(e.g., dynamic numbers) may be, for example, communicated from aprogramming device to a processor's on-board programmable non-volatilememory (e.g., a FLASH memory) such that a card may provide a variety offunctionalities. Such a processor may also have one or more power-savingoperating modes, in which each operating mode turns OFF a different setof circuitry to provide different levels of power consumption. One ormore power-savings modes may turn OFF, for example, one or more clockingcircuitry provided on a processor. An Application-Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) may also be included in a card or other device toprovide, for example, processing, dynamic magnetic communications, aswell as driving capabilities.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of thepresent invention may be implemented in other ways then those describedherein. All such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a circuit operable to emitan electromagnetic field and to electrically couple to, and transmitdata to, a read-head located on a magnetic stripe reader; and aprocessor for controlling the circuit, wherein the circuit is operableto communicate the data to the read-head while located outside of themagnetic stripe reader at a distance of at least a quarter of an inchfrom the read-head.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device isthicker than a payment card.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thedevice is a wireless communication device.
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the device is a portable telephonic device.
 5. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the device is a portable media player.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising a display operable to display a virtualcard.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a touch-sensitivedisplay operable to display a virtual card.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein the circuit is operable to emit a second electromagnetic field.9. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is operable to emit asecond electromagnetic field in parallel with the electromagnetic field.10. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is operable to seriallytransmit the data.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit isoperable to transmit the data in a parallel operation.
 12. A portabletelephonic device comprising: a circuit operable to emit anelectromagnetic field and to electrically couple to, and transmit datato, a read-head located on a magnetic stripe reader; and a processor forcontrolling the circuit, wherein the circuit is operable to communicatethe data to the read-head while located outside of the magnetic stripereader.
 13. The portable telephonic device of claim 12, furthercomprising a graphical user interface.
 14. The portable telephonicdevice of claim 12, wherein the circuit is operable to communicate thedata to the read-head located at a distance of at least a quarter of aninch from the portable telephonic device.
 15. The portable telephonicdevice of claim 12, wherein the portable telephonic device is a portablemedia player.
 16. The portable telephonic device of claim 12, furthercomprising a display operable to display a virtual card.
 17. Theportable telephonic device of claim 12, further comprising atouch-sensitive display operable to display a virtual card.
 18. Theportable telephonic device of claim 12, further comprising a secondcircuit operable to emit a second electromagnetic field.
 19. Theportable telephonic device of claim 12, further comprising a secondcircuit operable to emit a second electromagnetic field in parallel withthe electromagnetic field.
 20. The portable telephonic device of claim12, wherein the circuit is operable to serially transmit the data.